Female bullying male

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shtevie
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:26 pm

Female bullying male

Post by shtevie »

Hi all. So I've owned my male IRN Zazu for one year. I bought from a pet store and he's pretty comfortable with me in terms of being handled. I always kept him in the living room with his cage open so he was always socialised and pretty happy. Then I decided to get a dog which was ok at the start but ad my dog grew she started to notice zazu more so I decided it was safer for him to get his own room. Still he had his case opened and was near a window but he was alone alot more and feeling guilty I decided to get a female to keep him company and maybe hopefully bond with. So I collected a beautiful one year old called Renee.
Renee is a really sweet girl with me. She flirts alot, loves head scratches and has a really soft kind temperament.
Renee and zazu are cage neighbours have been for 2 months and when caged they both seem to get on fine.
However when I let Renee and zazu out she attacks him straight away. She causes him, tries to bite him, chases him from his cage then goes in to his cage and eat his food (I fees them both the same type and amount of food). She bit him good one day on his toe and he screamed and had a little blood. I felt terrible for him so I have had to resort to letting one bird out at a time for safety.
Thing is when zazu is caged and Renee is out she still will jump on his cage and panic him and she will chase him around the outside.
I have to let them both out sometimes under my strict supervision and poor zazu has to be on my shoulder at all time while she runs amuck in and around his cage then she will fly at him to chae him off my shoulder and try to trap him for attack.
It's bullying at this point and makes me feel sad for him.

I guesse what I'm hoping for from posting this is that someone will tell me the behaviour is normal and will pass or give me some guidance on how to make it better.

Maybe someone has been in a similar situation and has some advice?

I really don't want to give Renee up but I feel bad for zazu
ringneck
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Re: Female bullying male

Post by ringneck »

Hello,

It's clear that you're concerned about the relationship between your Indian Ringneck parrots, Zazu and Renee. Although they seem to get along well when they are both in their cages, Renee becomes aggressive and appears to bully Zazu when they are let out. This situation can be challenging, and it's understandable that you're worried about Zazu's well-being.

Birds, like any other animals, have individual personalities, and they may not always get along. Renee's aggressive behavior could stem from territorial issues, dominance, or feelings of insecurity. It's essential to address this behavior to prevent further injury or stress to Zazu.

One approach you can take is to provide separate play areas for each bird, equipped with their own perches, toys, and food bowls. This arrangement will give them their own space to explore and play without feeling threatened by the other bird. Additionally, you can try a gradual introduction process, allowing them to interact under close supervision for short periods, and gradually increasing the time as they become more comfortable with each other.

Positive reinforcement can also be helpful in managing their behavior. Reward both birds with treats or praise when they display positive interactions or remain calm in each other's presence. Make sure to intervene and separate them if aggression occurs to prevent injury.

Lastly, consult an avian veterinarian or a bird behavior specialist for more guidance on managing their interactions and addressing aggressive behavior. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your specific situation.

It's difficult to predict whether Renee's behavior will improve over time, but by implementing these strategies and monitoring their interactions closely, you can help create a more harmonious environment for both Zazu and Renee.

Best of luck with your birds, and I hope this advice proves helpful.

Kind regards,

IMRAN-C
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